Introducing Linux

This class is going to introduce you to working with the Linux operating system. If you are a networking student then it is to your advantage to know how to use Linux. Linux is an operating system with both enterprise commercial, and freely downloadable and installable distributions. The Linux operating system uses open source software licensed under the GNU Free Software Foundation. By using Linux you take advantage of a community of programmers dedicated to the distribution and availability of freely accessible and distributable software. Linux is the preferred operating system for running servers, including Apache web servers, BIND DNS servers, and running one of many network monitoring applications. Linux is an excellent alternative to Windows due to its stability and the worldwide community of developers freely contributing software development. In this class we will be working with Debian based systems like Ubuntu and Mint, Fedora, and the CentOS Linux distribution. Students may choose to work with other distributions as well.

Class Materials

The content of this class maps to the Comp TIA Linux+ certification exam. The curriculum used in the class is TestOut.com’s Linux+ Powered by LPI curriculum. You can purchase the software directly from the TestOut.com website. First, go to http://www.testout.com and create a user account, next go to http://www.testout.com/home/student-resources/student-purchasing , enter the promotion code (which I will provide you with), then click on “Linux+ Powered by LPI” LX0-101 and LX0-102 under the CompTIA Products area. This webpage describes the curriculum: http://www.testout.com/home/it-certification-training/labsim-certification-training/Linux-. With the promotional code, the student discount priceis $89. You can get the promotional code for the discount pricing from your instructor or if you have a legitimate .edu email account and you are a current student you can contact TestOut.com directly and request the discounted price. When you purchase your curriculum make sure to list your college and the name of your instructor.

Class Schedule and Policies

Where can I find the class syllabus?
The syllabus is located in Blackboard or you can download it here and save it for your records: syllabus

How do I turn in assignments?
All assignments will be turned in using the college Blackboard system or as an email attachment. Contact your instructor for which method will be used.

What will I be graded on?
I grade on a point system. You will be graded on the following items:
1) LabSim chapter assignments
2) Weekly Lab Assignments (non-LabSim)
3) Attendance
4) Final Exam

LabSim Chapter Assignments – Every week I will assign a chapter or portion of the LabSim Curriculum for you to accomplish. For you to earn the points you will need to:

Watch the videos and demonstrations – I can tell if you have only watched the video for 30 seconds and clicked away. LabSim records the amount of time and how many visits you spend on the different sections. As your instructor I will have access to your user interaction and scorses within the curriculum. LabSim has a button that allows to print a transcript of the videos this is very usefulfor review, studying, and to save for your records!

Read the Lesson Documents – LabSim will provide you with documents. Read them and print them out for your records (You only have access to this product for a limited time … one year I believe)

Accomplish the Interactive Lab Simulations – You can take and retake the simulations as many times as necessary. It often takes more than one attempt to complete a lab successfully. You will not be graded down for retaking!

Pass the Chapter Exams – Some of the chapters will have a multiple choice end of chapter exam for you to take and pass. You can take and retake the chapter exams as many times as necessary. It often takes more than one attempt to pass a chapter exam. You will not be graded down for retaking the exams!As you make your way through the LabSim curriculum your progress is recorded. I will give you credit (points) for passing through the different chapters. If I see that you spent little to no time, or skipped a particular section, I will take away points.

Weekly Lab Assignments (non-LabSim) – Every week I will give a hands-on lab assignment based on either the TestOut LabSim curriculum, my own experiences and experimentations, or other additional material. To earn full points for a lab, you will need to follow the instructions, complete the lab, and submit documented proof of lab completion. The lab may require you to do additional research, write a short paper, or participate in an online discussion by submitting a post to a comment board or forum.

Week 1 Overview

First, you need to purchase the Linux+ curriculum from LabSim Testout (see class materials above). You will need to create a TestOut user account, put in your promotion code, purchase your activation license, and enter your activation code to unlock the curriculum. Once the curriculum is unlocked you can start the Week 1 LabSim Assignment below.

Second, for the week 1 lab assignment you will need install Linux both in the classroom and on your home computer system. I will give more information about how I would like you to go about this in class. You will also find more information about the lab assignment under Week 1 Lab – Installing Linux (see below).

Week 1 LabSim Assignment (due Sunday)

Complete all of section 0.0 – Introduction

0.1.1 Instructor Introduction

0.1.2 Linux+ Certification Overview

0.1.3 Linux Operating System Introduction

Complete all of section 2.0 – Installation and Localization

2.1 Installation Design

2.2 Linux Installation

2.3 Localization

The LabSim curriculum will consist of materials to read, videos demonstrations to watch, and interactive simulations to accomplish. At the end of some of the chapter subsections there are multiple choice exams. All of these tasks to be accomplished can be retaken and you will find yourself redoing some of them more than once or even twice. This is not a bad thing. I will be able to chart your progress through TestOut.

Week 1 Lab – Installing Linux (due Sunday)

In order to practice using Linux and work on lab assignments, you will need to have access to Linux both in the classroom and at home. Here are the choices for installing Linux at home, in my suggested order of preference.

Turning it in:
Depending on your particular instructor, submit a screenshot of your Linux installation by Blackboard or as an email attachment. In the class environment it is preferable to install Linux as a virtual machine using VMware or Virtualbox. Using virtual machines makes it is easy to jump back and forth between different Linux distributions as well as create custom designed installs for specific purposes.